Chapter 5
I got to school late, first period is nearly over. I had to try and brush of Miss A's questions at day-care and then run all the way to school whilst ignoring my throbbing foot. To say I've had a bad start to the day would be an understatement; my morning was filled with emotional roller-coaster's and I'm running on hardly any sleep. I didn't even get my guitar from Miss A I was in too much of a hurry.
Sighing I ran a hand through my hair. I might as well skip first period. I started walking towards the back of the library. I made my way around the building blocks, ducking under windows and maneuvering around trees. Making my way around the corner I smelt smoke. I knew who it was before I even sore them.
Daniel was sitting against the old wall, his head leaning on the discoloured bricks staring at the blue sky. He's wearing his black skinnies and cons with his favorite and very old gray Bob Marley t-shirt. His knees loosely bent with his arms resting on them, his cigarette simmering away in his right hand. He lifted the bud to his plump lips taking in a long drag then blowing the poisonous smoke into the air above. He dropped his arm back down flicking the ash onto the earth. He had a sad look in his eyes; his brows frowned deep in thought. He looked defeated, his eyes reflecting sadness.
I put my bag down and made my way over to him. He was too lost in thought to acknowledge my presence as I stood in front of him. I put my finger to his forehead and ran it down to his brow, trying to uncrease his fixed frown. He slowly relaxed and tilted his head to the side to look at me.
"You'll get wrinkles" I said with light humor. He smiled back at me lazily but it never went to his eyes.
"It'll give me some character" he replied.
"Well let's put it this way" I said with a smile. " I don't think the ladies are going to be all interested in looking at your pretty face when it's wrinkly, unless you're going for cougars but I mean they'd have to be pretty dam old cougars " He snorted giving me a sideways look.
"Your right, but hay look on the bright side, they will have some killer experience" He said wiggling his eyebrows at me.
"Oh yeah" I laughed. "I guess having no teeth will be somewhat beneficial to you"
We both paused for a few seconds before giving each other disgusted looks and making gagging noises.
"Bad, bad, bad imagery" He mumbled while shuddering. I just laughed at him.
"You know you loved it"
He smiled up at me this time with a proper smile.
"Come sit" he said putting his cigarette out and grabbing my hand.
He pulled me to sit in between his legs my back leaning against his chest. We both just sat there a moment feeling each others embrace. I felt him sigh, the warm air like a feather on my neck making me shiver a bit. He chuckled lightly at my response.
"Shut up its ticklish" I grumbled. He just smiled at me.
"Whatever you say little Koala but you know I got the charm, just can't help it you know, it's natural" He said with a shrug just boosting his own ego.
"More like whatever you say 'Mr. Goldilocks'" I said whilst tugging one of his blond dreads with my own smug smile, knowing how much he dislikes being called that.
"Ahhrg must you tarnish my last name with something so feminine" he pouted.
"Of course, sorry Sir, Mr. Whitlock Sir." I said with a two finger salute.
"Pfft no way am I my old man"
"Oh right sorry Goldilocks" I said ignoring his childish wine.
"I don't have girly locks" He argued.
"That's debateable"
"I have dreadlocks there all man, I swear"
"Yeah dreadlocks that are golden" I retorted back. "Besides you never know Little Miss Goldilocks could be a Transvestite or hay better yet she could just be all man" Daniel laughed
"Imagine the surprise of Mama Bear when she found her eating Papa Bears porridge in baby bears bed" He said like he was reading a childrens book.
"Yeah also imagine her surprise when she lifts up the blanket and finds Gold's pitching a tent for daddy bear and Daddy Bear is bottom, aka coming back to the point she is all man, you're probably related you know" I said whilst tapping my chin in fake thought.
"So mean to your Big Uncle Daniel aren't you" He huffed behind me.
I just looked up at him and smiled.
"Just sharing the love" I said lazily before relaxing myself into his embrace feeling tired.
We both sat there quietly for a while, Daniel lost in thought and me half asleep using him as a pillow. The end of first period bell rang and I just grumbled curling myself more into Dan's embrace my legs now bent and hanging lazily over one of his, his arm wrapped around my waist as I lean into his chest hiding my face. I feel him drape his other arm over my legs and shuffle a bit getting more comfortable.
"No second period?" He asks.
"No" I mumble
"Yeah I can't be bothered either" He said before sighing again.
He sure has been sighing a lot, I know something's wrong but I thought I should give him some time to think. When he sighs the second time in one minute I give up on waiting.
"What's wrong?" I ask quietly with my eyes still closed.
I felt him shift a bit his arm moved away from my legs and then a light scraping noise. A few seconds later I could smell the smoke and felt his chest rise taking a drag. I discreetly turned my head into his jumper a bit more trying to avoid breathing it in too much. He blew the smoke away from me and mumbled a sorry.
"It's fine"
"Well..." he says making me look up at him.
I watch him as he stares of into the distance trees, the students' hustle and bustle trying to get to class playing in the background. He brought a hand up to rub his face before taking another drag of his cigarette, blowing it out slowly through his nose.
"It's his anniversary soon" he said in a sad tone his face emotionless.
His eyes unable to hide the truth he tries so hard to mask. Anger, sadness, regret just three of the many emotions lingering in his deep pools of blue.
"When?" I whispered lightly holding him tighter.
"A week from today" He mumbled.
I hummed in response. Daniels older brother David was four years older than Daniel; he died at the begging of Daniels freshman year before we met. The police called it suicide, an overdose, but Daniel disagrees. Whenever he speaks of David, it's always about how strong he was and how he never gave up. David was Daniels role model and even though he died he still looks up to him. He has never told me the whole story but I know he blames himself, he loves his older brother and his older brother loved him. From what I can tell they were really close.
Daniel is the joker, he is one of those people who hide behind the mask of happiness but I can tell, I think that's why we are so close because whenever he is down I can see what no one else can. You could call it a positive thing, intuition but when we first met Daniel hated it. I was seeing through his walls and he just wanted to forget. In the end he gave in and would come to me for consoling. We became really close after that. He comes to me for comfort; most times I don't ask knowing he would tell me if he wanted to. So a large part of our relationship is physical connection, having somebody to hold through the hard times and to rely on. That's friendship for you.
Brady has made certain comments here and there about how close we are for 'friends' but me and Daniel don't think anything of it because we just see it as us. Daniel see's other girls occasionally but it never lasts long and I don't think anything of it because at the end of the day we are still there for each other and everything is exactly the same. I love Brady and Daniel; I love them both in different ways I just don't know what that means. I'm not very good at deciphering my own emotions and don't understand a majority of them, so I just put it all down to what it must be like to love a family member because I wouldn't know what it was really like and guess this must be it.
Daniel let out a shaky breath his cigarette forgotten beside him. He was looking down at me with worry filled eyes.
"You and Brades won't ever leave me right?" He questioned
"Not if I have anything to do with it" I said with a sad smile.
I moved myself out of his embrace and he whined lightly. I kneeled in front of him and brought his head to my chest wrapping my arms around his body. He was frozen for a second before he melted into my hold wrapping his big arms around my body fisting his hands in my shirt and holding me tight. We stayed like that for several long moments then Dan pulled back and brought his hands into my hair pulling me down to kiss me lightly on the forehead.
"Thanks Koala" He said with a heartfelt smile.
I didn't say anything but gave him a soft smile back. He slipped his hands out of my hair as I leaned back to sit down. Our bubble was burst though because the moment I leant down I sat on my injured foot I had tried so hard to ignore.
"MOTHER FUCKER!" I hissed out falling back on my bum, grabbing my foot trying to relive the pain.
Daniel went from chilled to alert in 1.2 seconds.
"Shit! What the Fuck. Are you alright?" He said hovering over me.
"My foot" I groaned out.
He quickly looked towards my hands that were wrapped around my shoe.
"What did you do?" He asked leaning forward trying to move my hands for a closer inspection.
I didn't reply my eyes closed trying to will away the throbbing pain. Daniel grabbed one of my hands and managed to pry it away bringing his in its place.
"What the, whys it all-" he trailed of.
I opened my eyes to glance at him just as he removed his hand to inspect the wet substance. As soon as he sore the red he started freaking.
"Blood! It's Fucking blood!" He yelled. " SHIT! what were you thinking? Why didn't you say anything?Aww mannn" he said his voice filled with concern.
He quickly wrapped his hand back around my shoe applying pressure making me wine a bit whilst using his other to grab his phone out his pocket. I laid back my leg propped up on Dans lap hoping the insane throb would stop. Daniel pressed speed dial on his phone before shoving it on his ear wedging it between his shoulder and cheek then bringing his other hand down onto my still concealed foot.
"Hello" came the quiet voice from the phone.
"Hey Brades It's me, I-" Said Dan.
" DUDE were the hell have you been, Koda wasn't in my last class either, I tried texting you both but no one answered, DON'T frigen scare me like that man ." Said the annoyed voice of the Bradestar.
"SHUT UP FOR A SECOND! 1, 2, 3 First Aid Parade in the nurses office NOW, Pronto, chop chop, see you there." He said slamming his phone shut and shoving it in his pocket.
"Now you Miss are coming with me." He said lifting me up bridal style.
"Woah! I can walk you know" I replied slightly annoyed at being babied.
My foot did hurt like a Bitch but still I'm not one for babying. He just snorted.
"There is No way I'm letting you walk , your practically leaking an ocean, I don't think the school wants that on their floor and I don't want to be the reason for your blood loss."
I sighed talk about overreaction.
We made it to the nurse's office pretty fast without being spotted.
"Now that is what I call ninja skills" Boasted Dan while laying me down on the bed in the corner of the room. The bed slightly uncomfortable and cold the plastic cover crunching under me.
"Shut up and tell me why I'm here" said a voice behind the curtain making Danny and I both jump.
"Woah Buddy! Don't scare us like that" said Dan opening the curtain to reveal Brady.
He was standing there with an annoyed look on his face.
"You didn't even give me an explanation to why I needed to come here or anything, I had to tell the teacher I had diarrhea do you know how embarrassing that was" Brady sulked making me and Daniel laugh.
"Shut up!" he blushed giving us the evils.
His eyes softened once they landed on me though bringing the situation back to the small problem of my foot leaking a so called ocean.
"Stop being a creeper and come in" said Dan pushing Brades foreword and closing the curtain behind him.
They both came over to the bed and Daniel started untying my shoe. I could feel my mushy sock as I wriggled my toes making some blood come out the hole in the side. That can't be good.
"Grose "I mumbled at the uncomfortable feeling.
"So...are you guys gonna tell me what's wrong?"Asked Brades, Daniel just shrugged.
"I dunno but Koalas foot is pissing some serious amount of blood hey" He replied finishing untying my shoe.
Brady walked over and held my ankle as Daniel pulled of my converse.
"FUCK!"I cursed the pain shooting through my foot.
I tried to kick them of but the boys were holding tight. I felt the cold blood trickle down my ankle and out the shoe leaving patches on the bed sheet. I gripped the pillow under my head as they both started examining the damage.
"That's so gruesome" Said Dan untying my drenched sock and holding it up to his face.
Brady just took it of him and through it in the trash successfully getting it in the bin. After that they both got to work on cleaning me up. Brady did most of it considering his Aunt is a nurse and she has been teaching him all different first aid saying 'you never know when you might need it'. She was right because he has been helping me and Dan patch ourselves up for a while. They got all the small glass out and the bleeding slowly stopped.
"You're lucky the cuts aren't too deep," Said Brady.
"Then why'd it bleed so much?"Asked Dan. Brady just shrugged.
"I dunno same way a paper cut can poor you a river"
My foot was wrapped up in some bandage after Brades made sure to put enough anti septic stuff on fussing over making it clean and all I could do was try and kick him away that shit stings. Once done they both just kinda looked at me expectantly but I had no idea why.
"What?"
They both gave me a quizzical look like 'really you need to ask' but obviously I did otherwise I wouldn't have. After a long moment of silence Daniel broke it by finally speaking.
"What happened?"
Oh offcourse that's what they would want to know. I just shrugged.
"Nothing major just stepped on some glass on accident"
And it was true, It was a accident.
"Nothing major ,your foot was just bleeding with glass still in it and dirt as well but hey man shit happens no worries" Said Daniel sarcastically. I huffed.
"Seriously it was nothing, don't worry about it, I was just in a hurry to get out of the house and didn't have time to put my shoes on hence the glass and the dirt. I didn't want to make a big deal over nothing so I just left it."
"Koda" Brady sighed rubbing his face. "It's not nothing, that shit can get infected, besides it must hurt and walking around on it sure won't do it any good. The fact you rode to the day-care and walked to school with it like that is crazy. Just make sure you tell us next time, we care you know." Daniel just nodded along beside him.
I really didn't like to cause a fuss but the way they are looking at me now wishes I told them earlier. I guess I would have but I was caught up in trying to make Daniel happy and that's more important to me. Feeling bad I mumbled a sorry and they both gave me soft smiles in return.
"On a lighter note" Daniel said with a grin. "Your gonna have to put this back on" he held up my con by the shoelace all dirty and grose.
I couldn't help but cringe and groan aloud pulling the pillow over my face. They both just laughed obviously entertained by the idea.
"Come on koala we don't want you walking around school with only one shoe now do we"Said brady with a smartass grin.
"You guys suck!" I grumbled into the pillow.
"Nah that's just Brades" Dan retorted.
I couldn't help but laugh as Dan and Brady started a mini resling match on the floor. Dan kept on throwing out more lines like 'Woah Brades take me on a date first' and 'You only want me for my body don't you'. This just making Brady reply with 'Sorry I don't like pussy's' and 'Goldilocks's feminine body just doesn't cut it'. The use of Dan's hated nickname made him pout and stop to wine. In the end we were all laughing.
Finally getting my shoe back on after many attempts and lots of amused laughter and snorts from the boys we decided to head to class. I made sure to take some pain med's on the way out hoping that would help at least a little. I hobbled my way to English with slight help from Brades and a promise to see you later from Goldilocks.
The lesson seemed to drone on and I could feel a head ache coming on, slight pain forming behind my eyes most likely from my lack of sleep. I rested my head on the cool desk for the rest of the lesson Brady nudging me whenever I fell asleep keeping me in a semi awake state. The bell finally rang to signal lunch. I was fortunate to not have died of boredom but had to hold in a grown at the loud noise ringing around the building. Quickly grabbing my stuff Brady and I made our way to the cafeteria. I slumped into my usual seat and didn't hesitate on getting comfy, ready for a decent snooze while Brades just bee lined it to the canteen.
I opened my eyes at the noise of someone sitting down in front of me only to be assaulted by the cafeterias white walls making my head hurt. Brady sat there smiling happily at his mountain of food. I swear that kid eats more and more every day.
"you going to eat something?" He asked pulling his eyes away from his food for a second to look at me.
"I didn't have time to make anything" I mumbled into the table leaning on my folded arms.
"Well did you have breakfast?"
I just shrugged my shoulders. There was only enough food for Aden's breakfast and lunch. God knows what I'm going to do for dinner.
"Here have some of mine you gotta eat something" He said pushing a sandwich over to me.
I always feel bad when Brady or Daniel give me food because I know I can't repay the favour.
"It's ok I'm not that hungry" I lied
"I don't care take this"
I just sighed.
"It's ok Brades I'm not that hungry besides we all don't have a massive appetite like you" I joked trying to keep it light.
"Sup-Ooh free food" Said Dan as he plopped himself down next to me.
"Thanks Brades I'd love some" He said reaching over with a cheeky grin.
"Hell no!" Said Brades hitting his hand away.
"What, awww this is plain favouritism I tell you, don't you love me anymore Bradestar?"He whined with a fake sad face.
"It's not favouritism you just don't deserve it Goldilocks" He snorted. "Besides why would I ever love you?"
Daniel faked hurt.
"How can you even say such a thing, you said you loved me last night. So, you really did only want me for my body" He said pretending to wipe a tear.
"Yep sure did" Brades said causally popping the p.
"So you like my body?" Said Dan back to his normal voice.
"W-what no, I was joking, god no" He said blushing lightly trying to play it of cool.
Dan just laughed he loves making him feel uncomfortable.
"Anyway, as I was saying Koda you need to eat something and hay I can't help it. I'm getting hungrier and hungrier each day; I think it's in the genetics. Some guys back home in La push eat like truckloads of food yet they look like they are on steroids it's ridiculous."He said waving his hands up in the air.
"So here eat" He said pushing the sandwich at me again.
I was still stuck at the La push part. I forgot Brady was from that tribe. I ignored the sandwich and looked at him for a moment. He just waved it in front of my face.
"Hello anyone home?"
"La push" I whispered.
"Huh yeah La push, that's where I'm from. Pretty sure we established that a while back"
I took the sandwich from him and stared at it blankly for a few moments.
"Yo Koda your meant to eat it, Like this" Said Dan taking a huge exaggerated bite of his role.
I began to slowly rip it into small chunks an eat it, forgetting about my whole protest too lost on the fact Brady is from La push. Meaning he has lived there his whole life. Meaning not only could we be somewhat related he might know my...brothers. It sure feels awkward thinking of them as brothers and not strangers.
"La push?" I asked quietly again feeling the need for reassurance.
"Mmmhmmm" He replied with a mouth full of food.
"I-I" I stumbled not sure if I wanted to mention it.
I always feel like when you say something a loud it's like admitting it and makes the reality hard to ignore. I opened and closed my mouth a few times like a fish not too sure of myself. They both gave me curious looks Dan raising his eyebrow at me. I took a deep breath and pulled my long sleeves down into my hands, hugging my arms around my body.
"I found out were my dad is from..." I stated quietly looking at the cracks in the table.
They both stopped chewing and looked at me. I felt really uncomfortable. They didn't say anything though and let me continue.
" I accidently found some old documents and pictures of my dad's this morning..." I pulled one arm away from my body keeping my eyes down and traced the cracks with my finger.
" I knew he was native and...I found out what tribe he is from"
It was silent for a few moments the sounds of the cafeteria in the background.
"He is Quileute" I said somewhat numbly not sure how to feel.
I heard someone choking and looked up to see Brady hitting his chest coughing a bit before settling down again.
"Quileute? " He said slightly out of breath looking at me.
I just nodded dumbly back not sure what else to say.
"So like that makes you part Quileute. Meaning your pops is from La push just like Brady." Daniel said stating the obvious. "Hmmmm Interesting" He shrugged and went back to eating his food.
I have to love the fact he doesn't make big deals about things. Well most the time, this morning he was overreacting, well I think so anyway. I started eating away at my sandwich again trying to ignore the pressuring look Brady was giving me as the cogs turned in his head. His stare was making me uncomfortable and I hadn't realised id shuffled closer to Dan cowering slightly until he looked at me through the corner of his eye and leaned over to smack Brady in the arm.
"Cut it out Brades" He said sternly sitting back down next to me and casually flinging his arm over my shoulder pulling me into his side a bit.
"Oh sorry" Said Brades sheepishly.
I know Brady would never hurt me but that look held some form of hostility and I couldn't work out who it was towards. I don't think I should mention that I also have two brothers now seeing as I'm not too sure I want to admit that to myself just yet. Everything seeming somewhat serial and the fact I still have a bad feeling about today not putting me at ease.
We stopped outside of the males' bathroom on our way to art and waited for Dan to go and do his thing. I stood awkwardly staring at the ground still not sure of Brady's feelings.
"I'm sorry" his soft voice sounded in front of me.
I looked up at him, his tall frame towering over me slightly. If it was anyone else I might have been intimidated but it isn't its Brady.
"I didn't mean to look at you like that... its just-I-well...I was mad" I felt slightly hurt at the fact he was mad at me but he must have seen it and quickly reassured me.
"Not at you, God of course not at you. I just mean...your dad and my dad they both turned out like well" He sighed. "You know what I mean"
He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and looked upset. I knew what he meant. They both turned out fucked up.
"I just worry you know, I never want to be like them ever...but what if it's in the genes. I don't want to just snap someday" He said his voice full of worry.
I grabbed his hand and tugged on it lightly bringing his attention back on me.
"It's ok Brades your nothing like them and you never will be. You are the sweetest, kindest person I know and nothing will every change that. Just because you have the same genes doesn't mean anything. If that were true the whole population of La push would be royaly fucked but it's not and you're not. So don't worry about it okay" I said with a reassuring smile.
He pulled me into a big hug my feet dangling of the floor.
"Thanks" He said into my shoulder a big smile on his face.
"Group Hug!" Shouted Dan before squashing me between both boys any unhappy emotions forgotten.
I couldn't help but laugh as I'm squished between these two growing men. I feel content in this little moment between the two people I care deeply about. It feels...right. They both put me down only to let Brady scruff my hair making me grumble playful and punch him in the arm.
"Now little miss that is no way to treat your friends" Said Dan with fake authority.
I scoffed at him.
"Whatever 'Goldilocks'" I air quoted breaking out into another smile as his face drops slightly.
"Thats it!" He yells playfully.
I laugh and turn ready to run but Brady stops me.
"I don't think so Koala, I think my arm is bruising" He said rubbing the spot I punched him in fake hurt.
I tried to side step him but not fast enough as Dan comes and throws me over his shoulder.
"Woah!" I yell for the second time today.
"Put me down Goldilocks" I said punching his back.
He just laughed at me and continued walking towards class. Brady in toe, holding my bag and trying to stifle laughter as I squirm trying to get free, only bringing more attention to myself from the people around me. Deciding on a new tactic I start tickling Daniel. At first he seems unfazed but after a while the twitching , then awkward body movements and in the end he is laughing trying to keep me up and looking like he is doing the most ridiculous dance ever invented. In the end he gives up putting me down and trying to regain his breath, Brady laughing something about youtube and me getting use to the blood circulating my head again. After a few more moments of gaining composure Daniel looks up at me devilishly. Oh no.
I make a brake for it to the class, forgetting about my sore foot and smiling, thinking some things in life aren't too bad.
Or so I thought.
Sitting in Art class we have all calmed down after our little episode in the corridors. Daniel and Brady raced after me to class and both practically ran into the door frame, then just kept walking like nothing ever happened making me stifle all kinds of laughter. The class went on as usual, we all joked around quietly making doodles on each others art work but I still had a nagging feeling in the back of my mind.
"Miss Dikoda" Came the voice of my Art teacher Mrs Lee. I looked up from my work to see her staring down at me in her paint covered overalls.
"Yes Ma'm" I replied. She glanced over a note in her hand before handing it to me.
"I told you to call me Mrs Lee, ma'm is so formal" she said with a smile. "Someone from the office just came by; apparently your father is waiting for you at the front desk"
My stomach dropped , the smile wiped clean of my face.
"huh"
A/N-I'm terrible I no, hate me I'm so evil, waiting so long to update im a few weeks late infact. So sorry ive been really busy with Tafe and finding a job I haven't had time to just sit down and whenever I did my mind kept on wondering to this other story I'm starting to write. The next chapter will most likely have a warning on it so beware.
What music did this make you listen to/think of?
What do you think? Good , bad,love,hate. Hit me up.
Thank you allllllllll for your lovely reviews, they still get me all excited and make me go all gooey inside lol. Like usual don't hesitate to ask questions they help me and so do your opinions, good or bad.
So now Daniels last name is out there proudly, hopefully the people who didn't pick up on it before will now and lets hear what u have to say =]. Also you found out a bit of Daniels background and hear some of Brady's insecurities, what do you think?
Ok sooo when will they meet there relatives. SOOON! I'm sorry its taking forever but im trying to give it a good back story to start it all up. Anyway a few twists and turns to come in the next few chaps so keep ur mind open and such. Also I tried to add more dialogue in this one so hope its ok.
=3 Until next time =3 -Kaiottic-Rawr-
